Page 24 of The Thief’s Lord (Catkin Trilogy #3)

No doubt Landis knows what’s in them , I thought.

King Landis had the appearance of surprise and interest, but I had a feeling that this entire thing was nothing more than a charade.

It was, as usual, an illusion. The trial was little more than a sham, but hopefully Landis and his friends would be able to use it as leverage against our common enemy.

Lord Berrymay and a few other supporters of Lord Morne rose and gave testimony about concerns over recent Munni misdemeanors.

There was mention of roguery. Small slights were cast at the Munni guard, who refused to respond in any way.

I admired them. Ser Corrin and his Munni kin were living up to their name as true professionals.

I could only hope to be like them one day.

When all of the statements were given and noted down, a clerk representing Lord Wright of Baywaters and Lord Elthorne was submitted to the stand for review.

An interrogation of the subject was requested, and various witnesses and reports would be read.

The witnesses came and went—an elderly crone from the Lower Rime, a knighted molly who had witnessed the discovery of a body, and a middle-aged tom with a young kit, who shared his story about the night of the attempted assassination against the king on Wintermas.

For a while, the conversation drifted as various nobles began to protest, alleging that these were signs of some foreign involvement.

I was accused of treason and fraternizing with the enemies of Sumarene.

Staring in bewilderment at the lawyer who stood for the prosecution, I answered another question put to me about my allegiances.

I wondered aloud what enemies Sumarene had at the moment.

We weren’t at war, nor were we hostile with any nation.

The only true enemy that I knew of lay hidden within its borders.

“And if you don’t believe me,” I ended my short speech, “you can dose me with any truth-speaking serum. I speak the truth.”

The crowd’s murmurs swelled again. I was, hopefully, making sense.

Both lawyers for my defense and prosecution quizzed me.

I admitted to many things. I talked about how I helped the rogues track down the elderly herbalist. I witnessed her murder, though I had never raised my blades against her.

Wincing, I had to admit that I did run various errands for my masters, carrying the poison from the herbalist to the assassin as well as delivering the potion to a bribed maid at the castle.

I had also posed as a servant—both male and female—to infiltrate the castle for spying and reconnaissance purposes.

I had been the one who had alerted Lord Morne of the king’s tryst with his guard.

At this news, titters and laughter ran through the upper and lower galley.

Landis nodded solemnly, but judging by the stiff expression on his face accompanied by light blushing, my revelation was a little hilarious, if embarassing.

“And as such an agile thief,” the lawyer standing for my defense asked me smoothly, “how were you captured… exactly?”

I grimaced and then admitted, “I ran into the Duke of Baywaters. He is… a very powerful tom and sharp of hearing. He caught me in his home, where I was attempting to divert attention to his estate through sabotage.” Here, I winced as I thought of the mill Gareth had been so worried about.

“And to plant evidence against him by placing certain falsified incriminating papers within his study.”

“And you did this… why?”

“I was told to by my masters.”

“Would you share with me those who had offered you coin?”

“The Night Blades,” I said quietly. “The rogues who took me in a as an abandoned child and raised me as a thief, I only know them as Shade and Mourn. I worked with them closely and went on secret visits with them to various locations in the capital. One such location was Lord Morne’s estate, where we were given various missions to end the life of King Landis. ”

The crowd’s voices rose in an uproar. Lord Morne rose to his feet, shouting about slander and libel.

I was not familiar with those words, but he looked furious.

His name was now directly connected by my words to the Night Blades.

Combined with the testimony, the evidence must look damning.

Surely. I glanced down, refusing to look at Landis and the others.

Instead, I thought furiously, wishing I had the evidence I had sought.

After all, this was only my word against Lord Morne.

“We have no need for truth-telling serums or that quackery,” Lord Morne was saying with vehemence. “The rogue is simply seeking to evade punishment for his attempt on my life!”

“I don’t see High Mage Carwick about anyways,” muttered one of the guards.

“Aileen could administer it, I’m sure,” another noted.

King Landis raised a hand.

“We came here today to determine whether the defendant, Dorset of the Night Blades, did seek to harm or kill Lord Morne. So far, I have not seen adequate evidence to that effect. I move that we take more time to find the answer to this conundrum.” He glanced down at the rows of nobles who would also have their say. “What say the Court of Sumarene?”

“I agree,” Lord Elthorne said gravely. “Such charges are heavy indeed, and these reports have me concerned about the safety of the throne and the hidden shadows that seek to disrupt our peace—“

“The tom is rogue!” Lord Morne protested.

“Aye,” Lord Berrymay said slowly. His eyes glinted as he considered Lord Morne. “That he is, for certain. At the very least, he assisted the Night Blades in their wicked plot. However, this does call for more investigations, whatever happens to the Munni.”

“He ought to be hanged!” Lord Morne persisted. Some voices rose in agreement. Others nodded slowly. A few now looked uncertain.

Other folk from the lower gallery shouted in protest. Of course, their voices would not be necessarily taken into consideration, but seeing the support from the Munni guards and the people lightened my heart. Whatever happened to me today, I would not die without support.

Have faith… A soft voice comforted me. Little Mouse of mine. For my love, for your love, will shelter you…

Motions were made. Votes were cast. My life hung in the balance.

I closed my eyes as the final verdict was read.

Lord Morne would be placed under observation at his home.

Further investigations would be held into his connections with the Night Blades.

The thief and accomplice would be hanged.

My fingers bit the palm of my hand. Tears gathered at the corners of my eyes, but I would not cry.

If I died today, I would die knowing that I had found love.

Time sped up and slowed erratically as I was led out to the waiting gallows.

As the rough rope kissed my neck, I felt everything and nothing all at once.

The cool spring wind bringing the scent of blossoms. The sounds of catcalls and crying.

Shouts and protests. The grumbling guards as they bound my hands behind my back. The creak of the gate beneath my feet.

I recalled the press of Gareth’s chest against my back.

His warm breath tickled my ears. His hands on my waist. His tongue dancing with mine.

When they asked me for any last words, I could say nothing.

I wanted to speak the truth of my heart.

I wanted to tell him—only him—what I wished I had said before: I love you. I love you. I love you.

Distant horse hooves rattled over the cobblestones—and the wind brought the call of a horn, bearing with it sudden scent of lavender and ocean spray.